Use Windows Easy Transfer to Copy Important Data

Use Windows Easy Transfer to Copy Important Data

An easy way to transfer your data and Windows settings to your newly loaded Vista operating system

Welcome traveler to our continuing hubs on everything Vista, today well be discussing how transfers your valuable data from your old computer to your new Vista system. We hope you enjoy the journey, happy hubbing!

So, you invested years and barrels full of energy organizing the settings on your computer, program preferences, and favourite browsers just the way you want them. Unfortunately, after a fresh installation of Windows Vista, your custom settings and precious collections of information that personalize the look and feeling of your computer will be no where to be found. Thankfully, Microsoft has included a program called Windows Easy Transfer with Vista that's a wizard-driven process to shift files and settings from an old PC to one that operates on Vista, or if you're upgrading, the tool can transfer essential records to a storage device and then back to the computer after you install Vista.

Easy Transfer allows you to copy data and settings onto DVD's, CD's, or an external storage device (like a USB flash drive), as well as over your community network or through an Easy Transfer Cable (a USB cable with a chip that enables the cable to transfer information between two PC's). We'll take you through the steps using Easy Transfer with removable media (suitable for upgrading from an older version of Windows), over a network connection, and using an Easy Transfer Cable (only for PC-to-PC data movements). If the computer gods are with us, you'll avoid the time consuming process of manually reconfiguring program settings and copying important data files.

Okay one point before we head on down the road to Easy Transferring your data, Easy Transfer may not move every piece of information, and before you format a hard drive or upgrade to Vista you should always back up your important files. Easy Transfer can copy files (including music, pictures, and video), folders, email contacts, program settings, user account settings, Internet settings, and browser bookmarks. Remember though that Easy Transfer moves program settings but not the programs themselves. For example, Easy Transfer will copy Microsoft Outlook contacts, messages, and settings, but the tool can't copy the Outlook application to your Vista for you to use.

Easy Transfer only works with PC's running Windows 2000 with service pack 4, Windows XP with Service Pack 2, and of course Vista. Also, Easy Transfer can only move files from Win2000 computers, any particular settings will be left in the dust during the migration. The easy way to transfer your program settings from your old computer to a new Vista-based unit is to install your applications on Vista before you run Easy Transfer; otherwise the applications may overwrite your custom settings during the installation.

Obviously Easy Transfer is already designed into Vista, but you must install the program onto PC's running Win2000 or Windows XP to salvage your important files. Those running Windows XP can download Easy Transfer from the Microsoft Download Center (www.microsoft.com/downloads) as easy as pie. While both Win2000 and Windows XP consumers can install Easy Transfer from the Vista installation disc. Assuming your old computer has a DVD-ROM drive, then installing Easy Transfer from the Vista DVD is the simplest method. This is accomplished by inserting the DVD into your old computer drive and once it loads, click Transfer Files And Settings From Another Computer. If you decide to purchase a Windows Easy Transfer Cable (you can usually find one for around $40 at most electronics retailers), the software CD that comes with the cable includes the Easy Transfer application. Just make sure to follow the included user's manual to install the software, this is a good idea for any product.

Do you want to you can use the Vista version of Easy Transfer to copy Easy Transfer's installation files to an optical disc, external storage device, or local area network and then to your old computer. If you want to do this on your Vista PC, type easy into the Start search box and press ENTER. When the Easy Transfer welcome screen comes up, click NEXT and then select Start A New Transfer, Easy Transfer will then steer you through the procedure using a sequence of straightforward questions. First, you should be prompted to indicate whether you are using your new computer or old computer, choose the My New Computer option.

In the next dialog box, the wizard asks if you have an Easy Transfer Cable. This is because it's possible to install the Easy Transfer application through the Easy Transfer Cable's software and not have to copy the installation files through the cable. Click No, Show Me More Options and the wizard will ask you if Windows Easy Transfer is installed on your old computer. Select the No, I Need To Install It Now button, and the transfer tool will display several methods to store the installation files. You can use an external storage device, a CD, a DVD, or a network folder to accomplish the feat. Remember, if your computer doesn't have compatible hardware or you haven't inserted a blank disc into the drive, some options will be gray and thus be unavailable to you. Your computer must support the kind of storage you have picked, for instance, if you wish to store the files on the network, your old PC must have right of entry to the network location.

After selecting a transfer method, click Browse and choose the drive letter of the removable media or network location where you wish to store the installation files and click NEXT. Once the files are finished transferring, click the Close button, and then move over to your old PC and open the MigWiz folder from the storage location. Once this is done all you do is Double-click MigSetup.exe to install Easy Transfer and presto it's done.

When Easy Transfer is finished doing its thing, the program automatically opens and offers you an assortment of means to shift your vital files. Besides selecting a method supported by the Vista PC, consider the size of the data pack you are transferring and whether your chosen method has enough free space to hold all the information. With Easy Transfer you can use multiple CDs or DVDs, but make sure you have enough discs on hand for the transfer.

If you want to exclude certain files or folders from the transfer, select Advanced Options when you reach the What Do You Want To Transfer To Your New Computer screen. Actually, if you've already backed up a set of files, such as your digital photos, you can save time and space if you remove those files from the transfer all together. Later, you can always manually copy your digital photos to the Vista PC. Unfortunately, each transfer method has different scenarios, so we'll cover each one individually a step at a time. If you are planning on upgrading from an older version of Windows to Vista, you better follow the network or removable media steps to copy your data and settings before upgrading to Vista.

One of the best benefits of upgrading a PC from an older version of Windows to Vista is that your data and settings should remain intact, but always make sure you have a back up CD, DVD, USB flash drive, or external hard drive in case Murphy shows up. For extra large transfers, it maybe better to store the Easy Transfer data on a large external hard drive; otherwise, you may need to use multiple discs or reduce the amount of files to fit everything onto a USB flash drive.

Before selecting your storage method, make certain the target disc (a writeable CD or DVD) or external storage device is inserted. Click Use A CD, DVD, Or Other Removable Media and then click your removable media of choice. Select the appropriate drive letter for your device and click Next, choose Advanced Options and sort through the settings and folders you do and don't want to move. Click Next, Easy Transfer sends those files to your removable media. When Easy Transfer is done, remove your storage device. At this time, you could choose to upgrade your Win2000 or Windows XP system to Vista. If you're transferring the information to another computer, go ahead and insert the storage device into the Vista PC.

On your new Vista computer, insert the removable media and open Easy Transfer, after the welcome screen appears, click the Next button and choose Continue A Transfer In Progress. Pick the No, I've Copied My Files And Setting to A CD, DVD, Or Other Removable Media option. Then choose the type of removable media you used from the list, click the Browse button, and then double-click the SaveData.migfile. Click Next, and you can now change the user account names Vista uses. Click the Transfer button, and you data will be instantly teleported into Vista, okay maybe Microsoft hasn't come up with a teleport mode yet.

If both the computers are on a local area network (whether wired or wireless), selecting the network option is probably your best bet for transfer method. This way you avoid sending data back and forth with a storage device, and you don't have to move one of the computers close enough to connect the Easy Transfer Cable. Click the Transfer Directly, Using A Network Connection option, and Easy Transfer will offer you the chance to copy the files directly to your computer or put them in a network folder until later. Unless you wish to keep the Easy Transfer file for backup purposes, choose the Use A Network Connection option to copy your files and settings directly to the Vista computer.

Selecting the network location prompts the transfer tool to ask if you have a Windows Easy Transfer Key, which is a password that lets you access the Easy Transfer files over the network. Select the No, I Need A Key option and write down the key immediately. Once you've entered the key on your old computer, move over to your Vista computer and enter the same code. After Easy Transfer indicates that both units are one, settle in at your old computer again. Choose Advanced Options and select the files and settings you want to bring with you and then click Next. At this time, you can rename the user accounts from your old computer anything you want. Click the ever handy Transfer button, and the network transfer will commence. When the transfer is finished, walk over to the Vista PC and read the report to see which files and settings moved successfully and which ones didn't make the trip.

One thing to mention, before acquiring the Easy Transfer Cable, make certain that both of your computers have a USB port, not all computers will have one. The best results will be gained if both PC's also support USB 2.0, which transfers data much faster than outdated USB 1.1 standard. Go for the Use An Easy Transfer Cable (Recommended) option and Easy Transfer will check to see if the Easy Transfer Cable is connected to both computers. If in the event the cable isn't connected properly Easy Transfer will suggest that you need to either install the software for the cable or connect the cable to both computers. Once Easy Transfer establishes a connection exists, you can choose which files and settings you want to import. We suggest you choose Advanced Options to control which folders and settings you transport.

Click Next, and Easy Transfer displays which files you picked to move, just make sure to check the list over carefully so you include all the files and settings you'll need on your new Vista computer. Clicking Next at this time gives you the option of renaming your user accounts, in case you wanted to do this, now just Click the Transfer button, and the files will begin to copy. The amount of time the transfer will take depends on the speed of your USB ports and of course the amount of information you want to copy. After the transfer is finished, walk over to your Vista computer again, and there should be a convenient report displayed on the screen that lists the files that made the trip successfully and the ones that got left in the dust somewhere.

Were almost there, but before Vista can load your user files, you must log off the current user account. When you try to log back on, the user accounts you transferred should be available, as well as the settings and data you transferred. If you want to transport entire programs to your Vista PC, we recommend you download the Windows Easy Transfer Companion (currently in beta testing). This handy tool transfers both programs and program settings onto a Vista-based computer. The two Windows Easy Transfer programs discussed in this hub will allow you to transport the data from your old computer to your new Vista computer in a matter of a few minutes instead of hours.

Well that's it for another hub on everything Vista; we hope the information contained within helps you transfer the valuable data on your old computer to your new Vista computer. Join us next time for another hub on everything Vista as we will discuss how to upgrade your Windows XP Home operating system on your current computer to Vista Home Premium.